txbvary  of  Che  theological  ^eminarp 

PRINCETON  •  NEW  JERSEY 


PRESENTED  BY 

Rufus  K.   LeFevre 
.7k.W4ZZ 


k  AUG  21  1953  ^ 


'A*N  '»«nDDjA$       , 


M30NI9  iriHdWVd, 


REPORT 

of  an  Episcopal  Visit 


to 


PORTO    RICO 


by 


BISHOP  G.  M.  MATHEWS,  D.D. 


The  Foreign  Missionary  Society 

United  Brethren  in  Christ 
Dayton,  Ohio 


f 


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Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2009  with  funding  from 

Princeton  Theological  Seminary  Library 


http://www.archive.org/details/reportofepiscopaOOmath 


Report  of  an 

Episcopal  Visit  to  Porto  Rico 

By  Bishop  G.  M.  Mathews,  D.D. 

To  the  Board  of  Directors  of  the  Foreign  Missionary  Society : 
During  last  January  and  part  of  February  I  visited  our 
mission  in  Porto  Rico.  I  was  accompanied  by  Mrs.  Mathews, 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  S.  C.  Caldwell,  Miss  Nelle  Reed,  and  Miss 
Blanche  Bickel,  who  rendered  great  encouragement  to  the 
workers  in  the  Mission.  I  beg  leave  to  submit  the  following 
report  of  the  facts  gathered  and  the  impressions  received: 

Porto  Rico  is  unique  in  being  our  nearest  foreign  Mission. 
It  is  practically  a  foreign  field  in  the  homeland.  All  the  lead- 
ers in  that  island  with  whom  I  conferred  agreed  that  the 
customs,  traditional  beliefs,  and  degradation  of  the  Porto 
Ricans  put  them  in  a  position  of  the  greatest  need  of  the 
gospel.  'Idle  proximity  of  the  island,  and  the  close  relation- 
ship to  the  States  "through  commercial  intercourse  and 
religious  interest,  bring  to  us  at  home  corresponding  oppor- 
tunity and  responsibility.  The  Spanish  language  adds  to  the 
difficulty  of  the  work.  In  some  cases  the  foreign  board,  in 
other  cases  the  home  board  directs  the  missionary  enterprise, 
so  that  we  have  in  Porto  Rico  the  unusual  situation  of 
American  home  and  foreign  missionary  societies  engaged  in 
the  same  noble  work.  This  situation  greatly  pleased  me  as 
an  illustration  of  the  divine  oneness  of  the  Christian  missions. 
There  are  1,200,000  inhabitants  in  Porto  Rico,  the  large 
majority  of  whom  live  in  the  rural  districts  and  know  little 
or  nothing  of  Christ's  real  redemptive  work. 

Door  of   Religious  Opportunity  Wide   Open. 

Until  fourteen  years  ago,  Spain,  in  conjunction  with  the 
Roman  Catholic  Church,  had  kept  the  door  closed  against 
other  nations  and  religions.  Her  exclusiveness,  in  its  spirit 
and  enforcement,  was  equal  to  that  of  ancient  Judaism;  no 
independence  or  religious  liberty  was  allowed.  Behind  that 
closed  door  were  Spanish  tyranny  and  ecclesiastical  oppres- 
sion, which  kept  the  people  in  abject  poverty,  dense  ignorance, 
and  social  degradation;  but  Cod,  in  his  providence,  opened 
that  closed  door  in  1898,  when  the  island  passed  into  the 
hands  of  the  United  States  government.  The  people,  weary 
of  Spanish  injustice  and  priesthood  degeneracy,  were  ready 
and    waiting    for    Protestant    Christianity,    so    that    now    the 


leading  citizens,  as  a  rule,  actually  hate  the  Catholic  Church, 
and  the  mass  of  the  people  are  hungry  for  the  gospel  and  the 
Christ. 

This  is  the  day  of  opportunity  for  the  evangelization  of 
Porto  Rico  and  the  educational,  social,  moral,  and  religious 
transformation  of  the  people  of  that  interesting  island.  Even 
Catholicism  has  been  deeply  stirred  by  the  aggressiveness  and 
success  of  the  missionaries,  and  is  now  trying  to  reform  her- 
self. The  sooner  we  evangelize  Porto  Rico  with  the  gospel 
and  win  the  people  to  Christ,  the  more  surely  will  Porto  Rico 
be  free  from  the  tightening  grasp  of  Catholicism  and  be  able 
to  propagate  the  Christian  religion  to  the  islands  that  sit 
by  her  side. 

Inspection  of  the  Field. 

During  my  visit  it  was  both  my  pleasure  and  profit  to  see 
much  of  the  island.  Railroads,  automobiles,  coaches  trans- 
port one  over  the  great  roadways,  along  which  are  towns, 
villages,  and  playas ;  but  it  requires  much  walking  and  riding 
on  Porto  Rican  horses  to  witness  the  phases  of  life  in  moun- 
tain barrios.  A  visitor  may  travel  only  over  the  magnificent 
thoroughfares  of  the  island  and  stop  at  the  cities,  as  some 
have  done,  and  get  no  idea  of  the  real  situation  of  the  multi- 
tudes. I  rode  with  our  mission  workers  for  days  up  into  the 
mountains  and  down  to  the  playas,  where  I  preached  in 
chapels  and  got  an  impression  of  the  Christians  in  worship, 
as  well  as  the  needs  and  degradation  of  the  lower  classes. 
A  like  condition  of  physical  and  social  degradation  appeared 
in  the  back  streets  of  the  cities.  One  night  I  accompanied 
Mr.  Drury  to  one  of  the  densely  populated  portions  of  the- 
city  of  Ponce,  where  his  men's  Bible  class  held  a  religious 
service  in  the  presence  of  poor  ignorant  people,  who  pressed 
to  the  door  and  strained  their  necks  to  hear  the  gospel  in 
sermon  and  song.  To  appreciate  fully  the  needs  and  appeal- 
ing condition  of  the  people,  one  must  visit  the  island  in  person. 

There  are  Protestant  churches  in  every  city  and  town  on 
the  island ;  also  in  the  mountains  are  many  chapels  and  many 
private  homes  where  Sunday  schools  are  held  and  the  gospel 
preached.  Progress  in  the  way  of  sanitation,  public  school 
education,  dispensaries,  and  hospitals  is  evident.  I  found 
these  improvements  to  be  real  accessories  to  the  work  of  the 
missionary.  Indeed,  the  work  of  the  missionary  would  be 
doubly  difficult  without  the  above-named  supplemental  con- 
ditions. While  the  evangelization  of  Porto  Rico  can,  of 
course,  never  be-  accomplished  without  the  direct  preaching 
of  Christ  and  his  gospel,  yet  the  Christian  teacher,  the  Chris- 
tian doctor,  and  the  Christian  business  man  are  very  helpful 


in    reinforcing    the    missionaries    and    in    laving    foundations 
for  permanent  success. 

One  of  the  shameful  influences  that  operates  to  the  detri- 
ment and  difficulty  of  the  Christian  worker  in  Porto  Rico  now, 
is  the  fact  that  so  many  godless  Americans,  who  are  there  for 
mercenary  purposes  only,  represent  in  their  lives  low  moral 
and  social  ideals ;  but  the  successes  outweigh  the  discourage- 
ments by  far,  during  the  thirteen  years  of  missionary  opera- 
tion. The  religious  statistics  of  the  evangelical  missions  of 
the  island,  gathered  up  to  January  1,  1911,  show  179  pastors, 
150  assistants,  186  church  organizations,  280  Bible  schools 
with  15,149  scholars,  132  church  houses  and  chapels  with  11, 
359  members  in  full  communion,  the  value  of  church  property 
being  $682,987. 

OUR  OWN  MISSION. 

The  location  of  our  mission  in  the  southern  part  of  the 
island,  with  its  headquarters  at  Ponce,  is  most  excellent.  It 
is  probably  the  most  compact  mission  held  on  the  island. 
Besides  Ponce,  a  city  of  30,000  inhabitants,  our  mission  in- 
cludes the  towns  of  Yauco,  Juana  Diaz,  Penuelas,  and  Guay- 
anilla.  These  constitute  the  five  districts-  under  the  superin- 
tendency  of  Rev.  P.  W.  Drury,  including  contiguous  rural 
territory,  in  which  are  many  chapels  and  other  places  where 
our  American  and  native  workers  hold  services.  Ten  years 
ago,  Rev.  N.  H.  Huffman  was  our  only  missionary  on  the 
island.  We  had  no  property,  no  buildings,  no  organization,  no 
annual  conference.  Now  we  have  9  American  missionaries,  18 
Porto  Rican  preachers  and  deaconesses,  15  organized 
churches,  32  other  preaching  places,  30  Sunday  schools,  with 
an  enrollment  of  1,538,  and  1,066  members  in  full  communion, 
besides  about  500  who  are  candidates  being  trained  for  full 
membership.  The  value  of  our  church  property  is  $40,000. 
The  total  contributions  for  the  past  vear  from  our  churches  in 
Porto  Rico  was  $2,197.81,  an  increase  of  $446. 

Early  in  the  year  a  site  for  our  mission  headquarters  at 
Ponce  was  purchased  at  a  cost  of  $3,000.  It  is  situated  near 
our  church,  on  the  same  street.  Then,  with  the  $2,500 
grained  by  the  Board,  a  neat,  commodious  residence  was 
erected  on  that  site.  It  has  nine  full  rooms,  with  modern  con- 
veniences. Our  printing  plant,  also,  is  on  the  new  premises. 
Its  lawn  is  full  of  palms,  roses,  and  foliage  plants.  It  is  the 
best  missionary  residence  in  the  city,  and  gives  us  fine  prestige 
and  influence.  The  plant  is  ideal,  and.  with  our  church,  gives 
us  a  property  worth  at  least  $10,000. 

In  order  to  save  our  splendid  church  property  at  Juana 
Diaz  from  being  encroached  upon  by  a  business  house,  Rev. 
I.  E.  Caldwell,  the  pastor,  by  the  generous  and   timely  aid  of 


/ 

his  brother,  Mr.  S.  ( '.  Caldwell,  of  Swanton,  Nebraska,  pur- 
chased the  home  on  the  corner  next  to  bur  church  at  a  cost 
of  about  $2,100.    It  is  a  large,  commodious  home  for  the  pastor 

and  his  family,  and  worth  more  than  it  cost  them.  Our 
mission  should  have  it  as  a  parsonage,  and  buy  it  as  a  matter 
i  >f  self  protection. 

We  have  a  charming  rest  home,  the  Ml.  Hermon  Cottage, 

situated  2.000  feet  above  the  Caribbean  Sea,  in  the  mountain-. 
twelve  miles  from  Ponce,  on  the  hue  roadway  to  Arecibo.  It 
was  erected  with  the  contributions  from  the  Woman's  Mis- 
sionary Association  of  our  Church.  It  is  the  best  and  most 
delightful  investment  I  ever  saw  for  the  sum  of  $1,000.  It 
was  our  privilege  to  spend  a  few  days  in  that  health-restoring 
mountain  home,  with  its  exhilarating  atmosphere  and  beau- 
tiful scenery. 

There  are  two  dispensaries  under  the  auspices  of  our 
mission.  The  one  is  at  Yauco,  in  connection  with  Rev.  X.  II. 
Huffman's  pastorate;  the  other  at  Coto  Laurel,  under  the 
direction  of  Superintendent  Drury.  Hundreds  of  afflicted  men, 
women,  and  children  come  to  those  dispensaries  for  physical 
help  and  relief.  Christian  physicians  from  the  States  give 
their  services  free,  and  special  funds  are  provided  on  the 
island  without  any  expense  to  the  mission.  This  method  of 
medical  missionary  work,  in  which  the  hearts  of  the  people 
are  won  to  Christ  and  the  Church  through  the  power  of 
practical  Christianity,  greatly  commends  itself  to  all  broad 
Christian  workers. 

Annual  Conference. 

It  was  my  privilege  to  preside  over  the  Annual  Confer- 
ence, January  12-14,  at  Ponce.  I  received  a  royal  welcome 
from  all  the  workers.  The  attendance  was  large  and  the  in- 
terest high  to  the  end.  The  spirit  of  enthusiasm,  fellowship, 
and  aggressive  action  prevailed  throughout  the  sessions.  The 
addresses  of  Superintendent  Drury  and  all  the  American  and 
native  workers  were  of  high  order,  and  were  worthy  of  an 
Annual  Conference  of  our  Church  in  the  States.  Though 
spoken  in  Spanish,  they  were  all  translated  to  me  in  English. 

(  >ur  American  missionaries.  P.  \Y.  Drury  and  wife,  N.  H. 
Huffman  and  wife.  I.  E.  Caldwell  and  wife,  C.  1.  Mohler  and 
wife,  and  Miss  Elizabeth  Reed,  are  all  persons  of  fine  char- 
acter and  excellent  ability  ;  graduates  of  college  and  dedicated 
to  the  cause  of  Christ  in  their  field,  they  have  no  superiors 
on  the  island.  They  profoundly  impressed  me  a-  men  and 
women  of  God,  rich  in  experience,  mighty  in  the  Word,  and 
heroic  in  their  passion  to  win  the  people  to  Christ  and  a  better 
life. 


8 

The  native  workers  are  also  consecrated,  loyal  Christians. 
They  are  intelligent,  efficient  preachers  and  deaconesses. 
Many  of  them  have  been  trained  in  the  high  schools  of  Porto 
Rico,  and  therefore  command  the  respect  of  the  public.  The 
church  houses  and  chapels  are  all  well  constructed  and  kept 
clean,  neat,  and  attractive. 

Both  the  American  and  native  missionaries  are  hard,  self- 
sacrificing  workers.  Every  day  in  the  week  they  visit  in  the 
cities  and  ride  over  the  rough  mountain  sides  to  preach  in 
chapels  and  carry  the  gospel  into  private  homes. 

I  commend  the  economical  way  in  which  our  mission  is 
conducted.  The  Annual  Conference  set  the  goal  this  year  for 
1,000  souls  for  Christ.  The  workers  went  forth  with  a  passion 
to  achieve  this  result.  Word  from  the  superintendent  brings 
the  news  that  already  350  persons  have  accepted  Christ,  and 
the  revival  is  still  in  progress. 

It  is  with  regret  that  I  have  to  report  the  enforced  re- 
turn of  the  wife  of  Rev.  N.  H.  Huffman  to  the  States  on 
account  of  the  illness  of  their  son,  Harold.  The  Huffmans 
have  a  great  influence  on  the  island,  and  would  be  seriously 
missed  if  compelled  to  withdraw  permanently.  Let  the  Board 
pray  for  the  recovery  of  the  son,  so  that  Mrs.  Huffman  may 
rejoin  her  husband  in  the  great  work  he  is  doing. 

MISSIONARY  COMITY. 

I  found  a  general  agreement  and  cooperation  upon  the 
part  of  the  evangelical  denominations  operating  missions  on 
the  island.  All  the  cities  are  open  to  any  denomination ;  but 
the  general  division  of  the  territory  is  as  follows :  The  Pres- 
byterians occupy  the  west  portion  ;  United  Brethren  in  Christ 
the  adjoining  territory,  with  Ponce  as  headquarters  ;  Metho- 
dists and  Baptists  in  the  central  portion ;  Congregationalists 
the  east,  and  the  Lutherans  on  the  north.  There  is  also  an 
Interdenominational  Council,  which  encourages  general  fra- 
ternization and  cooperation. 

It  is  clear  in  Porto  Rico  that  a  united  Catholicism  has 
the  advantage  over  a  divided  Protestantism,  and  the  sectarian 
divisions  are  an  element  of  weakness  in  all  missionary  enter- 
prise. Dr.  Howard  B.  Grose,  who  made  a  careful  survey  of 
the  missionary  outlook  of  Porto  Rico,  expresses  it  in  a  nut- 
shell, "A  united  Porto  Rico  Protestantism  is  the  only  force 
that  can  successfully  oppose  the  Catholic  Church  and  redeem 
the  island." 

I  was  charged  by  your  Board  to  negotiate  with  the  Pres- 
byterians and  Congregationalists  respecting  a  closer  federa- 
tion with  our  denomination  in  regard  to  a  union  printing 
plant  and  a  union  theological  seminary.  I  am  happy  to 
report    favorable    results    from    that    conference.      The    three 


denominations  have  practically  agreed  upon  the  union  printing 
plant.  Superintendent  Drury  and  I  had  a  conference  with 
the  Presbyterians  at  Mayaguez  in  regard  to  these  two  propo- 
sitions. It  was  a  most  delightful  and  harmonious  interview. 
The  Presbyterians  and  United  Brethren  have  agreed  upon 
the  printing  plant,  and  the  Congregationalists  on  the  field 
have  also  approved  it.  The  plan  will  be  submitted  to  the 
denominational  boards  for  final   approval. 

The  union  printing  plant  is  assured  now.  The  new  paper 
will  be  a  bi-weekly  publication  of  sixteen  pages,  printed  at 
Ponce,  with  Mr.  Drury  as  general  editor  and  manager,  and 
with  associate  editors  from  the  other  two  denominations.  The 
subscription  price  will  be  fifty  cents  per  annum.  It  is  ex- 
pected to  have  3,000  subscribers  and  become  self-supporting 
within  a  year.  Already  our  printing  plant  has  been  enlarged 
for  that  purpose.  The  Presbyterians  have  suspended  their 
paper  and,  awaiting  the  completion  of  details,  we  are  sending 
our  publication,  El  Testigo  Evangelico,  to  their  subscribers. 

UNION  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY. 

The  following  plan  for  the  proposed  Union  Theological 
Seminary  has  been  agreed  upon  by  the  representatives  of  the 
Presbyterians  and  United  Brethren  missions,  and  taken  into 
consideration  by  some  of  the  brethren  of  the  Congregational 
Mission.  The  latter  are  not  quite  ready  to  take  action  ;  but 
the  Presbyterians  and  United  Brethren  are  fully  agreed  upon 
the  desirability  and  necessity  of  such  a  school  for  the  training 
of  our  native  workers. 

I  recommend  that  this  Board  at  this  session  take  action 
authorizing  the  consummation  of  this  proposed  school  with 
the  Presbyterians  as  soon  as  possible,  either  with  or  without 
the  cooperation  of  the  Congregationalists.  The  school  prop- 
erty would  be  held  jointly.  Our  share  of  responsibility 
would  be  no  more  than  $4,000  in  cash  and  the  furnishing  of 
one  of  our  missionaries  as  a  member  of  the  faculty,  giving 
half  of  his  time  to  that  work.  In  the  meantime  the  Presby- 
terians have  generously  agreed  to  receive  our  native  workers 
into  their  school  for  training  until  this  union  enterprise  shall 
be  consummated.  Such  a  union  training  school  as  is  pro- 
posed is  a  great  necessity  for  all  native  workers  on  the  island. 
It  would  be  both  in  the  interest  of  economy  and  broad  mis- 
sionary federation.  I  give  below  the  general  statement  of 
the  plan  agreed  upon  by  the  missionary  authorities  in  Porto 
Rico,  and  endorsed  by  myself  as  your  representative: 

Purpose. 

Idle  purpose  is  to  found  a  Christian  training  school  which 
will   be   devoted    exclusively    to    training   fur    Christian    work. 


10 

Owing  to  peculiar  conditions  which  now  prevail,  provisions 
for  studies  of  a  preliminary  character  must  be  made  for  some 
time  ;  but  it  is  expected  that  later  on  these  may  be  pursued  in 
the  high  schools  or  other  institutions  of  Porto  Rico. 

Location. 

The  training  school  will  be  located  at  Mayaguez. 

Building. 

It  is  proposed  that  a  suitable  building  be  erected  at  a 
cost  not  to  exceed  $12,000,  including  grounds  and  furnishings. 
In  view  of  the  size  of  the  Presbyterian  Mission  and,  further,  in 
view  of  the  use  the  Presbyterians  in  Cuba  may  make  of  the 
school,  it  is  suggested  that  the  amount  necessary  be  appor- 
tioned as  may  be  agreed  upon.  This  property  will  be  of  joint 
ownership,  and  will  be  under  the  control  of  a  board  composed 
of  representatives  from  each  denomination. 

Board  of  Directors. 

The  school  will  be  under  the  direction  of  a  Board  of 
Directors  composed  of  members  of  the  missions  concerned. 
The  board  will  meet  annually  for  the  transaction  of  business. 

Current  Expenses. 

The  expenses  incident  to  the  maintenance  of  the  school 
will  be  apportioned  as  may  be  mutually  agreed. 

Course  of  Study. 

This  will  be  of  three  years'  duration. 

Mutual  Relations. 

In  order  to  preserve  the  greatest  harmony  among  the 
missions  concerned  and  also  in  order  to  maintain  an  effective 
discipline,  it  is   mutually  agreed  that — 

1.  There  shall  be  no  attempt  to  influence  students  in 
the  least  to  change  denominational  beliefs  and  practices. 

2.  No  person  in  attendance  at  the  seminary,  or  one  who 
has  attended  the  same,  will  be  employed  under  any  circum- 
stances by  one  of  the  denominations  other  than  the  one  to 
which  he  belongs,  except  by  mutual  consent  of  the  denomina- 
tions concerned. 

ANOTHER  OPEN  DOOR. 

Superintendent  Drnry  and  Rev.  N.  H.  Huffman  last  Sep- 
tember visited  Santo  Domingo,  and  found  there  a  door  which 
God  has  evidently  opened  to  the  Christian  missionary.  The 
island  is  only  fifty-five  miles  from  Porto  Rico,  a  few  hours' 


ride  from  Mayaguez.  It  has  a  population  of  600.000.  Its 
territory  is  eight  times  the  size  of  Porto  Rico.  The  people 
are  as  needy  of  the  gospel  as  the  Porto  Ricans,  and  wholly 
unevangelized.  The  urgency  for  entering  that  open  door  at 
once  rests  upon  the  following  arguments: 

1.  Its   close  proximity  to   Porto   Rico,  being   but    fifty-five   miles 

away. 

2.  It-  need   i »f  tin    gi  >sp<  I. 

3.  Fifteen  thousand  Porto  Ricans  are  living  on  that  island 
now.  In  ten  or  fifteen  years,  according  to  the  present  rate  oi  in- 
crease, the  population  of  Porto  Rico  will  reach  two  millions,  which 
will  be  beyond  its  supporting  resources  and  opportunities.  Emigra- 
tion will  become  a  necessity,  and  the  outflow  will  naturally  be  to 
Santo  Domingo,  where  their  kindred  have  settled.  It  is  easy  even 
now  to  interest  Christian  Porto  Ricans  in  the  evangelization  of  that 
island.     Some  are  always  offering  their  services  as  missionaries. 

4.  This  open  door  can  be  more  economically  entered  from 
Porto  Rico  rather  than  directly  from  the  States.  It  can  easily  be 
under  the  administration  of  our  Superintendent  in  Porto  Rico.  It 
would  simply  widen  our  field  in  the  Antilles,  with  the  addition  at 
present  of  one  more  missionary,  and  probably  a  trained  consecrated 
Porto  Rican. 

5.  Last,  but  not  least,  is  the  argument  of  an  objective.  Every- 
thing i-  favorable  for  the  complete  evangelization  of  Porto  Rico  at  no 
distant  day.  For  self-preservation  and  the  maintenance  of  the  spirit- 
ual results  of  the  investment  of  personality,  sacrifice,  and  money  put 
into  Porto  Rico,  there  must  be  a  commanding  objective.  This 
new  field  would  furnish  it.  The  outflow  of  Christian  life  in  that 
land  must  be  as  unselfish  as  it  is  in  any  Christian  country  under  the 
law   of   divine   love. 

<  >ur  Porto  Rico  Annual  Conference  last  January  requested 
this  Board  to  take  action  toward  the  starting  of  missionary 
operations  in  Santo  Domingo,  pledging  itself  to  pay  $500  dur- 
ing the  year,  beginning  with  January,  1913,  "providing  that 
the  Board  deems  it  possible  and  wise  to  open  up  work  there 
next  year.**  I  recommend  this  challenge  to  the  serious  and 
prayerful  consideration  of  this   Board. 

RECOMMENDATIONS. 

1.  A  general  appropriation  of  $20,000  for  Porto  Rico,  in  view 
of  money  needed  to  place  native  Christian  workers  into  unoccupied 
territory,  and  the  high  cost  of  living  in  the  cities. 

2.  New   Churches:      A    new    church    at   Yauco,   costing  at    least 
I,  to  be  built  immediately. 

A  new  chapel  at  Villalba,  to  be  built  at  once,  costing  not  less 
than  $1,500.    This  is  an  imperative  necessity. 

The    private    house    occupied    by    the    miss  and    family    at 

Juana   Diaz   should   be   bought   soon    for  a   parson 

The  Juana  Diaz  church  is  too  small  for  its  congregation,  and 
needs  an  addition,  at  a   i 

Three  hundred  dollars  appropriated  for  a  site  in  Sabanetas.  and 
the  enlargement   of  our  chapel. 

3.  A  new  mission  established  in  Ponce  as  our  Second  Church, 
under  the  direction  of  our  First  Church.  We  have  a  ning 
there,  where  thousands  are  still  unchurched.     With  the  help  of  work- 


ers    from    our   First    Church,  $600  would   probably    support   this    new 
mission  for  this  year. 

4.  Lengthened  term  of  service  of  our  American  missionaries. 
In  view  of  the  reinvigorating  advantages  of  our  Rest  Home  near 
Ponce,  I  endorse  the  recommendation  of  the  Mission  Council  for  the 
extension   of  their  term   of  service  to   four  years. 

5.  The  endorsement  of  the  Union  Printing  Plant  proposition. 

6.  The  favorable  consideration  of  the  proposed  Union  Theolog- 
ical Seminary  at  Mayaguez,  with  general  definite  instructions  to  the 
executive  committee  of  this  Board  looking  to  the  final  consummation. 

7.  A  prayerful,  serious  consideration  of  the  Santo  Domingo 
open  door  as  a  challenge  for  missionary  extension. 

I  close  by  expressing-  my  profound  appreciation  of  the 
prayers,  sympathy,  and  help  of  our  Church,  both  in  Porto 
Rico  and  in  the  States.  I  am  grateful  to  God  for  the  marvelous 
preservation  of  our  lives  on  the  sea,  and  for  whatever  helpful 
service  we  were  enabled  to  perform  for  our  noble  heroic 
workers  on  that  interesting  island. 

Respectfully  submitted, 

G.   M.  MATHEWS. 


N-  B. — The  Foreign  Mission  Board  at  its  annual  session 
at  Harrisburg,  Pa.,  May  6-9,  1912,  unanimously  approved  the 
recommendations  of  the  foregoing  report. 


rs 


KJSo?a6n?P^p..  visit  to  Porto 

Princeton  Theological  Seminanr-Speer  Library 


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